[In the Memoirs of the time it is said that Mademoiselle de Chartres, being at the Opera with her mother, exclaimed, while Caucherau was singing a very tender air, “Ah! my dear Caucherau!” and that her mother, thinking this rather too expressive, resolved to send her to a convent.]

So yesterday morning at seven o’clock she set off in a coach; she afterwards sent back the carriage, with a letter to her father, her mother, and myself, declaring that she will never more quit that accursed cloister.  Her mother, who has a liking for convents, is not very deeply afflicted; she looks upon it as a great blessing to be a nun, but, for my part, I think it is one of the greatest misfortunes.

My son went yesterday to Chelles, and took with him the Cardinal de Noailles, to try for the last time to bring his daughter away from the convent. (20th July, 1718.)

My heart is full when I think that our poor Mademoiselle d’Orleans has made the profession of her vows.  I said to her all I could, in the hope of diverting her from this diabolical project, but all has been useless. (23rd August, 1718.) I should not have restrained my tears if I had been present at the ceremony of her profession.  My son dreaded it also.  I cannot tell for what reason Mademoiselle d’Orleans resolved to become a nun.  Mademoiselle de Valois wanted to do the same thing, but she could not prevail upon her mother.  In the convent they assume the names of saints.  My granddaughter has taken that of Sister Bathilde; she is of the Benedictine order.

Madame d’Orleans has long wished her daughter to take this step, and it was on her account that the former Abbess, Villars’ sister, was prevailed upon to quit the convent.  He is in the interest of the Duc du Maine.  I do not see, however, that his sister has much to complain of, for they gave her a pension of 12,000 livres until the first abbey should become vacant.  Madame d’Orleans is, however, vexed at the idea of Villars’ sister being obliged to yield to my son’s daughter, which is, nevertheless, as it should be.

Our Abbess is upon worse terms than ever with her mother.  She complains that the latter never comes but to scold her.  She does not envy her sister her marriage, for she finds herself very happy, and in this she displays great good sense.

SECTION XXI.—­MADEMOISELLE DE VALOIS, CHARLOTTE-AGLAE, CONSORT OF THE PRINCE OF MODENA.

Mademoiselle de Valois is not, in my opinion, pretty, and yet occasionally she does not look ugly.  She has something like charms, for her eyes, her colour and her skin are good.  She has white teeth, a large, ill-looking nose, and one prominent tooth, which when she laughs has a bad effect.  Her figure is drawn up, her head is sunk between her shoulders, and what, in my opinion, is the worst part of her appearance, is the ill grace with which she does everything.